Tag Archives: European

Euro Fest 2014

Main stage with performances

There are many festivals in Vancouver, but this has to be the first one where the ticket is a whopping $15 just to get in. Most of the booths are ones that you’d likely see elsewhere selling crafts and food related to the theme. There was a main stage where performers entertained the visitors. Many of the countries booth were with some pamphlets and it wasn’t really experiencing the countries but felt more like a trades show.

I ordered Bratwurst and pop $10 which was very good but otherwise, it wasn’t worth the $15 admission fee. Being in Europe in 2008, 2013, and again this summer, you don’t sense the real authentic European culture at the fest. I would say that the Powell St Festival for the Japanese community portrays a much better scope of the festival – and it’s free. Still, it was good to check out the Euro festival with friends, but I don’t think I will be returning.

Model of Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany which Disney’s castle was based on. I’m really hoping I get to see the real one when I go to Germany next month!! Native stage

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Maple Leaf Delicatessen

It was a nice warm day during a winter season, and we were out for a walk. Sheepie and I wanted to grab a bite, and happen to walk by a sandwich board (yes! again! they DO work! lol) advertising their German sausages. So we thought we’d try it out. It’s a very small deli-cafe shop. There is some tables and chairs and seats by the counter against the window.

We ordered the German sausage $7. We were a bit tight on time, so waiting for the food to come out seemed to take forever. So if you’re in hurry, this isn’t the McDonald’s ready in under 75 second rule.

It came in between a bun with sauerkraut on the side. Sheepie was not happy with the sauerkraut being cold, but I didn’t mind. I ate them cold when I usually by them at supermarkets…lol…so it didn’t bother me at all. The sausage was good and filling, though $7 seemed a bit overpriced. But then again, Japadogs are also priced the same…which I also think is overpriced and overrated.

Service was good, and the guy making it in the back did come out and ask us if it was alright.

They have a lot of European goods, so if you’re on the hunt for those kind of items, this might be the shop to check out.

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Thomas Haas Fine Chocolates & Patisserie in Kits

Since my German friend has gotten really hooked on making his own chocolate, we decided to check out Thomas Haas. Every time my friend made chocolates and gave them to people, they always suggested that he open his own chocolate store. So, to learn more about the business, we checked out how the pros did it – from a German pro.

Thomas Haas Chocolates are made every week by hand – no lines or mass production, using local ingredients, even to the point of sourcing some products directly from the farmer. No preservatives or artificial flavours are used! Thomas is a fourth generation pastry chef who grew up in his family’s pastry shop in the Black Forest village of Aichhalden, Germany.

Inside the cafe. A unique honeycomb like ceiling.

Small cake $5.80

Chocolate for $1.30 a piece

Cafe latte $3.60

The cafe is modern and clean – reminds me of places in Germany. We went on Saturday afternoon. It was very full and busy!! Never seen a cafe this crowded! I was also amazed at how much people were willing to pay for chocolate and pastries!

One piece of chocolate cost $1.30, latte $3.60 and tiny mango cake $5.80. I only had the latte and one pastry and it was already close to $10! The packaging designs displayed on the shelves were very simple and very European, the styles I like.

Since it was a nice day out, we sat outside on the small patio.

We were surprised to see that Thomas himself cleaned up every table. By doing that, he had the opportunity to chi chat a bit with each customer. However, unlike my German friend who was super outgoing and would make friends with every stranger on the street, he was a bit more reserved. My friend didn’t get an opportunity to chat up with him, but he said it was ‘inspirational’ to see his cafe.

Great cafe. Chocolates and cakes are not too sweet. Good latte. I’d definitely recommend.

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